KOMIPO Power Plant Competition | HAEAHN and Haenglim

A design by HAEAHN Architects, in partnership with Haenglim, has earned them second place in the Korea Midland Power co. (KOMIPO). The proposed project combines a power plant program with that of an office building while integrating spaces for the public within the design.

Courtesy of HAEAHN

The proposal changes the standard idea of a power plant; the design is very dynamic and modern, with parks and restaurants for the workers and the public, thereby, driving the building far from the industrial feel of a power plant. The project is designed to replace the Danginlee, South Korea’s first power plant constructed in the 1930’s, while memorializing its importance.

Courtesy of HAEAHN

While replacing the Danginlee, the new design takes on a tower-like structure; the four stacks of building volumes are centered around a 100-meter-high chimney. This arrangement makes the plant’s ventilation element the central part of the design; thereby, acting as a monument to the old plant.

Courtesy of HAEAHN

When placed in the center, the ventilation stack masked from view allowing for a less industrial look of the building. The massive concrete walls of the building, rising up to 18 meters, will have a stone cladding recalling those of the old plant. The walls are to be surrounded with art galleries and exhibits attracting the public to the building making it a “Culture Plant.” The new image proposed by the architects is more appealing to the public; it is meant to draw in workers as well as citizens and to create a dynamic atmosphere for people to learn, work, and enjoy the other programmatic functions.

Courtesy of HAEAHN

By:Ala’ Abuhasan

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Program Diagram. Image Courtesy of HAEAHN

Site Plan. Image Courtesy of HAEAHN

irst Floor Plan. Image Courtesy of HAEAHN

Fifth Floor Plan. Image Courtesy of HAEAHN

Sixth and Seventh Floor Plans. Image Courtesy of HAEAHN

Ninth Floor Plan. Image Courtesy of HAEAHN

Longitudinal Section. Image Courtesy of HAEAHN

Cross Section. Image Courtesy of HAEAHN

Section Diagrams. Image Courtesy of HAEAHN

North Elevation with Elevation System for Segment of Exposed Chimney. Image Courtesy of